Betting the Billionaire (11 page)

Her muscles went all wonky, and she stumbled, even though she’d been standing perfectly still.
K., get it together.
She ran her suddenly damp palms over her coveralls as if she could straighten out the loops her stomach was traveling at the moment. “I hear you have trouble keeping your gas tank full as it is.”

“Hud ratted me out, huh?” Was that a blush on his cheeks? Who’d have thought it possible?

She didn’t try to disguise her amusement. “The story of the billionaire who can’t remember to gas up his expensive car did make the rounds at The Kitchen Sink diner.” She giggled and shrugged. “It’s a small town. People talk. But, I promise we were laughing with you, not at you.” She paused. “Well, mostly.”

He nodded and raised a red, plastic gas jug. “That would explain why Hud gave me this on his way out the door and made me promise to fill it before I left.”

“Hud’s gone?” Wings flapped in her abdomen as her gaze searched the dark lobby behind him.

“Yep, it’s just us.”

Nerves jumbled her system, leaving her jittery. “Why are you here?”

He let out a wry chuckle. “You might as well know the truth now. I’m an impatient asshole. I couldn’t wait any longer.”

There was no way he was going back on his deal. The Barrington Inn had returned to the Jacobs Fine Furnishings client list, along with the addition of several other small hotels and even a few wealthy families wanting customized pieces. Just like he’d promised. She may not know Gabe as well as she could, but she didn’t doubt his word for a second. “For what?”

“Our dinner.” He stepped to the side, revealing a large, insulated bag at his feet, which he picked up. “I hope you like Chinese. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought a little of everything from my favorite place in Harbor City. Don’t worry, it’s still warm. I took the helicopter.”

Her heart dipped down to her toes before rebounding back into her chest where it started to pound against her ribs as if trying to make an escape. “You actually have a helicopter?”

He left his post in the door and prowled over to her like a jungle cat stalking its prey and stopped within arm’s reach. Every fiber in her being yearned for his touch and demanded her to reach out, but uncertainty at his reaction held her back. After all, people like him probably jumped in their helicopters all the time without a second thought. It didn’t necessarily mean what she really wanted it to mean.

That this time he was in Salvation for her and only for her.

“What kind of self-respecting rich dude would I be without a helicopter?” Gabe asked, his self-deprecating humor undercut with a hard, desperate note of desire.

She looked up into his brilliant blue eyes that couldn’t be lessened by the barrier of his glasses. Lust, warm and enticing, hit her blood stream like the world’s most potent drug. “A richer one?”

“True.” His fingers grazed her waist before trailing downward and coming to rest on the curve of her hips like they belonged there. Like he belonged with her. “But money isn’t everything.”

Electricity sparked across her skin, draining and invigorating her in the same breathless moment. “What is?”

He lowered his head, halting a millimeter from her aching lips. “I’m hoping you can help me figure that out.”

She slid her fingers up the smooth silk of his tie and loosened it. “Now that sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”

“Finally.” Gabe’s lips covered Keisha’s, and the rest of the world melted away.

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Acknowledgments

A huge thank you to my editor, Stephen Morgan, and the amazing team at Entangled Publishing for everything. Y’all rock my socks.

About the Author

Avery Flynn has three slightly wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband, and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip. Find out more about Avery on her
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